My husband Randy and I have been together for almost 35 years now. We were together for seven years before having our first child. In that time we completed a total of 5 post-secondary degrees, got married (and organized a wedding with 120 guests), moved three times (including one move abroad), spent several long periods living apart because of school and work, lived with my parents (for a year) and renovated a 1500 square-foot apartment. We had lots of stress. And lots of arguments. We also had lots of opportunities to grow as a couple and as a team.

But it wasn’t until Daniel was born that we realized how important it was for us to be a team. Because now, we were not the only ones who would be made unhappy if our team did not succeed; our son would be made unhappy too. We were really stuck now!

Not only did we suddenly recognize the permanence of this team, but we also were suddenly aware of all sorts of issues we had each taken for granted. We had never thought to discuss questions like:

Who will get up in the night with the baby?Whose paid work is more important?Who decides how often we bathe the baby, or change his sheets, or wipe his nose?Who makes sure there will be food in the fridge, clean clothes, toilet paper?

In the good old days (she reminisces, her voice cracking with age,) I used to teach a prenatal class series that went on for nine weeks! Sometime towards the turn of the millennium, folks just got too too busy to spend nine weeks coming to childbirth classes when they were expecting a baby. So we moved to a six-week series, which has become the standard all over North America.

But we had so much less time, so we had to drop some content, and one of the things we had to do was spend less time on The Newborn and Baby Care. And we always felt sad about that. Parents felt they needed more information and we felt that they could use the boost of confidence that comes from having taken a course and having had time to ask questions before they have to jump in to taking care of their very own baby.

So we designed a course specifically for parents-to-be to prepare for caring for their newborn baby. We called it Parenting the Newborn and we included in it the standard things: How to Bathe and Diaper and Swaddle and Soothe your baby. We also included a two-hour in-depth Breastfeeding Workshop and a two-hour Infant First Aid course. But we wanted the course to be about more than just the mechanics of baby care. We have also included opportunities for parents to examine their values where parenting their baby is concerned. We spend a lot of time discussing what babies’ needs are in the three months after birth. And we talk a lot about the importance of physical contact, cuddling and holding for babies. It’s a great course, designed and taught by childbirth and breastfeeding educators who are also trained postpartum doulas.

Parenting The Newborn is an excellent complement to our Childbirth Preparation Class. We encourage new parents to take it at any time after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

At Mothering Touch we spend a lot of time talking about Fathers. Expectant fathers, new fathers, fathers’ roles, fathers’ pride, fathers’ responsibilities, fathers’ anxiety, fathers’ identity, fathers’ joys. What do fathers need? What support? What information? What books? What equipment? And it’s hard to find answers to those questions.

But this weekend, Theatre Skam and Lucas Myers are going to answer those questions for us in Hello baby! And maybe one answer is: Fathers need a good laugh!

Matthew Payne, the Artistic Director at Theatre Skam and one of our Mothering Touch Dads, approached me to make sure I knew about this great show. It’s framed as an Instructional Lecture for new fathers. It poses (and I hope, answers) burning questions like:

“Is your life as you know it really over?”

“Can you safely operate a fax machine/belt sander/breast pump on two hours sleep?”

“Is it really possible to become so obsessed with bowel movements and nipples that you a make up little nicknames for them? Like ‘Jerome’? Or ‘Kathy?’”

I gather there are songs too. The one I am most looking forward to hearing is Yes-Honey-I’d-Be-More-Than-Happy-To-Make-Dinner-And-Hand-Wash-All-These-Cloth-Diapers-As-Soon-As-I-Finish-Giving-You-A-Back-Rub-And-Vacuuming-The-Floor-Again-Because-You-Are-Hyper-Paranoid-About-Germs,-Really-I-Would,-No,-I’m-Not-Just-Saying-That-Because-I-Think-It’s-What-You-Want-to-Hear,-I-Want-to-Do-It,-Look,-I’m-Doing-It-Right-Now,-See?

I invite Dads and Moms and all those who love them and support them (like Grandmas and Grandpas and Aunties and doulas) to come on this field trip to the land of New Dads. I’m looking forward to a good laugh!

Hello baby! at the Metro Studio – February 22 and 23 – Single Tickets for Hello Baby! along with season tickets are available in advance at Ticket Rocket or 250.590.6291 – Advance Tickets: $18 for Adults, $15 for Students and seniors At the Door: $23 for Adults, $20 for Students and seniors

"I really want to thank you for teaching us about having a birth plan and being open and ready for change. Our plan went from a natural water birth at home to finding out baby had flipped into a frank breach position at 38 weeks then going into labour on Christmas Eve and having to have an emergency C-section. I guess we got all of our cards flipped except the most important one, Healthy Baby!" Having that plan and knowing what was most important really helped us get though all of the surprise twists and turns."

~ Rachael

The Mothering Touch Centre

We acknowledge that we work and gather and raise our children on the unceded traditional territories of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations

Made from 100% pure New Zealand lambswool which has been felted for strength and durability, and paired with rugged hide leather soles that provide slip resistance when worn indoors on laminate wood or tiled surfaces and are durable enough to be used outdoors in dry conditions.

The adjustable flap closure makes them easy to put on even the squirmiest feet and secures around calves of all sizes for a comfortable fit. An elastic built into the ankle cuff gently holds them in place.

Loveletters

A welcoming “lily pad”

Charlie and I want to say how much we have appreciated your care, smiles, advice and awesomeness over the past...

Sarah

2016-03-03T16:03:28+00:00

Sarah

Charlie and I want to say how much we have appreciated your care, smiles, advice and awesomeness over the past year. Mothering Touch is the very best and most welcoming 'lily pad’ and it meant so much to have a safe and supportive place to come and hang out. I really miss not being able to pop in now that I’m back to work.

https://www.motheringtouch.ca/blog/testimonials/a-welcoming-lily-pad/

You are doing amazing things!

You are doing amazing things by providing support in the various ways you do at your place of business. Mothering...

April

2016-03-03T16:04:24+00:00

April

You are doing amazing things by providing support in the various ways you do at your place of business. Mothering touch is so much more than a baby store. It's been a haven during times of insecurity and isolation while embarking on the project of parenting little people. It's such a big job, being a parent, so thank you for all you do and the ongoing, continuous support you show to moms and dads.

It’s a happy place and serves the community

I love Mothering Touch because it has a great pregnancy happy hour which I really enjoy. I find the advice...

Mieko

2016-03-03T16:05:09+00:00

Mieko

I love Mothering Touch because it has a great pregnancy happy hour which I really enjoy. I find the advice and support I receive from the facilitator is excellent and almost like having another mother. The activities are all reasonably priced so everyone can afford them which I believe is ethical and they have a lending library and a lovely selection of stock which is beautiful in their store. It's a happy place and serves the community. Thank you so much and I tell all my friends about it.

Sibling Preparation Class

Thank you for offering the Sibling Preparation Class. We took our two boys and it made a big difference to...

Jen

2016-03-03T16:49:23+00:00

Jen

Thank you for offering the Sibling Preparation Class. We took our two boys and it made a big difference to their understanding of what to expect. After baby arrived my 5 year old said "we should go back to big brother class to show them we have our baby now.

Peace of Mind

Thank you for the amazing prenatal class and hospital tour. I was really pleased with the content and the manner...

Melissa

2016-03-03T16:50:09+00:00

Melissa

Thank you for the amazing prenatal class and hospital tour. I was really pleased with the content and the manner in which it was delivered. Shona is amazing. Sarah-Jane did a really nice job of our hospital tour on Monday night. Your staff are so knowledgeable, friendly, compassionate and caring. I feel confident that I have what I need to know to make decisions around the delivery of my baby. Thank you so much for this peace of mind.

https://www.motheringtouch.ca/blog/testimonials/peace-of-mind/

The Go-To Place

Mothering Touch is the go-to place for new and expectant parents. I have logged MANY MANY hours there; I enjoyed...

2016-03-03T16:50:47+00:00

Mothering Touch is the go-to place for new and expectant parents. I have logged MANY MANY hours there; I enjoyed their Pregnancy Happy Hour before my daughter was born, my husband and I had our prenatal classes with them and my daughter and I went to weeks and weeks (and months) of moms and babe groups...

https://www.motheringtouch.ca/blog/testimonials/the-go-to-place/

“the teamwork frame of mind”

Your class was a huge help for the preparation of the birth. John had the hip squeezes down so well!...

Caitlyn

2016-04-19T10:57:27+00:00

Caitlyn

Your class was a huge help for the preparation of the birth. John had the hip squeezes down so well! And has been such a huge support. The class really got us into the teamwork frame of mind.

https://www.motheringtouch.ca/blog/testimonials/teamwork-frame-mind/

…we now have our baby girl!

"After a long healthy labour and delivery we now have our baby girl! We used every bit of information you...

Vince and Justine

2016-04-21T16:34:40+00:00

Vince and Justine

"After a long healthy labour and delivery we now have our baby girl! We used every bit of information you gave us to make it through that labour. Thank you so much for teaching that class; it made me knowledgeable enough to really help Justine get through those contractions. Thank you."

https://www.motheringtouch.ca/blog/testimonials/now-baby-girl/

This has brought us together…

"Eva, I think we're making great progress! A. is going down for bed in under 10 min now... Her naps...

Lauren

2016-04-21T17:06:12+00:00

Lauren

"Eva, I think we're making great progress! A. is going down for bed in under 10 min now... Her naps have lengthened a lot too. She's even eating better! This has brought us together as parents and as a family! So far it's been a great experience with amazing results. We're excited to keep going and see where it gets us." ~

https://www.motheringtouch.ca/blog/testimonials/brought-us-together/

…you put a lot of our concerns at ease.

"We thoroughly enjoyed your classes. They were very informative and you put a lot of our concerns at ease ;) ...

Priscilla

2016-04-21T17:07:35+00:00

Priscilla

"We thoroughly enjoyed your classes. They were very informative and you put a lot of our concerns at ease ;) I will definitely keep referring my clients to your business and am happy to be able to tell them that I have experienced what you have to offer 1st hand."

Looked forward to the classes each week

"We wanted to say again how much we enjoyed our Wednesday night classes and really looked forward to them each...

Caley & Sean

2016-04-21T17:08:54+00:00

Caley & Sean

"We wanted to say again how much we enjoyed our Wednesday night classes and really looked forward to them each week. They (and you) were so informative, insightful and helpful. The relaxed setting made us feel like we could ask and talk about anything with you and the group."

…helped us get though all of the surprise twists and turns.

"I really want to thank you for teaching us about having a birth plan and being open and ready for...

Rachael

2016-04-21T17:10:14+00:00

Rachael

"I really want to thank you for teaching us about having a birth plan and being open and ready for change. Our plan went from a natural water birth at home to finding out baby had flipped into a frank breach position at 38 weeks then going into labour on Christmas Eve and having to have an emergency C-section. I guess we got all of our cards flipped except the most important one, Healthy Baby!" Having that plan and knowing what was most important really helped us get though all of the surprise twists and turns."

Thank you for your endless care for all things baby!

I was a student in your Grandparenting class at Mothering Touch a few weeks ago. Thank you for your humour,...

2017-10-10T14:30:31+00:00

I was a student in your Grandparenting class at Mothering Touch a few weeks ago. Thank you for your humour, thank you for your guidance, thank you for your endless care for all things baby! My daughter now has a beautiful baby, my first grandchild, and I’m so thankful for your support! ~Sandra